Jailed: Trowbridge man in drug-fuelled hammer attack

A Trowbridge man who repeatedly hit a man with a hammer in a drink and drug-fuelled attack has been jailed for 16 months

A Trowbridge man who repeatedly hit a man with a hammer in a drink and drug-fuelled attack has been jailed for 16 months.

James Smith got the tool from a drawer as he accused his victim and another man of stealing his drugs, following an all night binge.

And before the assault he banged the hammer hard on the floor shouting: "This is what is going to happen to you two if you don't get me what I want".

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Tuesday that victim Paul Evans and his housemate Simon Hillier would sometimes buy drugs from Smith, who would demand double payment if they were late with the cash.

Smith would often bang on the door at their home on Carders Corner and was 'intimidating and aggressive', she said. On the evening of Wednesday, February 19, he appeared, bashing at the door, and after they let him in all three took drugs and drank together.

Ms Hingston said Smith was agitated, continually pacing and looking out of the window, convinced someone was coming to the flat.

Mr Evans had to go to bed as he was working the following day and Smith and Mr Hillier left the property to get some drugs the defendant had stashed somewhere. But when they could not find them he returned and accused the other two men of stealing them.

After getting the hammer he issued the threat and then hit Mr Evans to the head with it before later striking him about the body.

During the attack he took Mr Evans' phone and also locked the door. He later sent Mr Hillier out with £50 to buy some more drugs but he went to the police station and said what had happened.

Smith, of Harford Street, Trowbridge, was due to face trial for false imprisonment but that was dropped after he admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Alistair Grainger, defending, said all of them had been taking drugs and fortunately the victim did not suffer any serious injuries in the attack.

Judge Douglas Field said: "The offences itself is serious in that you were all taking drugs.

"You were convinced they were responsible in some way for your missing drugs. You lost your temper, you armed yourself with this hammer and your assault on Mr Evans was prolonged."

As well as the jail term he also imposes a restraining order banning him from contacting both men or going to the flat.